Broncos say they will ‘keep chopping wood’ after 24-14 loss to 49ers, point to early-season tests
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos said Monday they will continue to focus on steady improvement and accountability after a 24-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4. Head coach Sean Payton said the team is learning week to week and intends to “keep chopping wood” as it navigates a challenging early-season slate. Four games into the 2026 season, Denver has shown resilience with two come-from-behind wins against top competition.
Four games through the 2026 slate, the Broncos have established themselves as a resilient team that can compete among the league’s best. The team’s first four opponents — the Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams and 49ers — entered Monday with a combined 13-3 record, and Denver has produced two come-from-behind victories during that stretch. Two of those three losses by that group came at the hands of the Broncos, while the third came in a head-to-head matchup between the Rams and the 49ers.
In the aftermath of the Week 4 loss, players and coaches blamed a handful of big plays for the result and said cleaner execution would have made the difference. Payton highlighted Denver’s defensive effort, noting the team held one of the league’s top offenses to just a field goal in the opening half. “I thought the guys played with great energy, effort,” Payton said. “There were a lot of positives to draw from.”
Offensive guard Quinn Meinerz said Monday that playing strong opponents early accelerates improvement and preparation. He said those matchups challenge routine and bring out better preparation, which he called valuable during a “race to improve.” Meinerz added that the Broncos are focused on faster starts and an improved running game and said, “We are a lot closer than the numbers say, and so we just have to keep chopping wood here — and it is going to happen for us.” He stressed that accountability and attention to small details will be important as the offense seeks to maximize its potential.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Facing four opponents with a combined 13-3 record through Week 4 gives the Broncos a tough early measurement of where they stand. The defense showed it can slow an elite offense in stretches, but Denver must convert defensive stops and strong first-half play into consistent offensive execution and cleaner finishes. The coaching staff and veteran leaders publicly stressing process and detail work is the right approach; sustained improvement will hinge on faster starts and a more effective running game to take pressure off situational playmaking down the stretch.